Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Later, Chad changed his phone wallpaper to a cool-toned glamour shot of Jade. She hadn't let the winter chill stop her from lying in a field in a gown for a sultry photoshoot, teeth chattering but determined to capture the perfect image.

No matter what Chad said, she wouldn't listen. "Beauty requires a little sacrifice," she'd retort, shrugging off the cold. Grandma Aubree watched from the doorway in her festive red quilted jacket, shivering just looking at her granddaughter out there posing in the frosty air. Eventually, Chad took a few snaps, and even he, a grown man, couldn't stand the cold. After the final shot, he scooped up his sister and carried her back to the warmth of home.

Inside, Chad scolded her, their mom lectured her, and even the grandparents chimed in as they walked by, calling her a silly goose for wearing a dress in the winter cold just for some pictures.

Mia received the photos from her bestie. "Just tell me, aren't they stunning? Bet Andre never took ones this good of you!"

"Who took them?"

"My Chad," Molly boasted, pride swelling in her voice.

Mia felt a pang of envy and showed the photos to her husband. "Look at these pictures Chad took of Molly. Even the filters are top-notch. Now look at what you've snapped. They're so bad, I can hardly recognize myself." Andre, the ever-patient cop, wasn't offended. "I'm usually at crime scenes taking evidence photos. What's there to be jealous about?" he said with a shrug.

Mia rolled her eyes and relayed his words to Molly, "Don't get too cocky. Andre says cops hone their photography skills snapping shots of grime."

Jade sent a skull emoji and quipped, "Mia, if Andre wasn't such a big shot, I'd cut ties with him in a heartbeat."

Mia replied, their banter a secret shared between sisters. Andre caught a glimpse of their chat and glanced at his wife's silhouette with a mischievous smirk, planning a playful revenge. The Cedillo family threw a lavish christening party that was the talk of the town. Chad, scheduled for a day shift, managed to wrangle a couple of days off after persistent coaxing from Jade, who wouldn't take no for an answer. He was determined to join her

always the sly one, teased Molly, "You know, even if you hadn't sweet-talked him, Chad would've

"So..."

"Chad just wanted to hear you play

since you had your baby, I swear I've been sharing

the day of the christening, Andre and his family were up early to join the Cedillos. Mia cradled her baby, accompanying her husband to the family altar to light incense in

with hidden fastenings added just in case. Her son Henry was so used to breastfeeding he turned his nose up at formula, even though Mia had prepared milk bags in advance. She had

draped with a short, cape-like overlay that concealed her chest and the hidden clasps, adding a touch of elegance. The hem of the overlay was embroidered with gold threads in a pattern symbolizing good fortune, with a fringe of diamonds adding weight and

"If I ever hit rock bottom, I'll just nip

were a fortune

little guy was bundled up in a snug tiger costume, his chubby cheeks and tender lips only fussing when

a pink princess tulle, perfectly matching her personality. But the best

daughter mingling with the Cedillo clan, they felt a sense of pride

Cedillos had been cooking since dawn, and the house was now filled with a crowd of relatives and friends. Mia descended the stairs with Henry in her arms, and the room full of elders